The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-23
TIE IRISH AMERICANS.
PROTEST THROUGH THE Ma.
TI0NAL LEAGUE AGAINST
The Enactment Of a Coercion Meas
ure for Ireland by the Eng.
lish Parliament.

NEW YORK, March ga mass
meeting was held in Cooper Union to-
night to protest against the enactment
of the proposed coercion measure for
Ireland by the English Parliament.
The meeting was held under the
auspices OF the Municipal Council Of
the Isish National Lesgue. Chsrles
A. Dana, editor Of the New York Sun,
scted as chairman. He said it might
be ssked what Americans had to do
with the conduct of English govern.
ment. He maintained the right to be
unquestionable. He spoke on behalf
of broad justice and those rights
which belong to all men. They were
about to vindicats in England now the
first principles Of liberty by passing a
coercion bill, and Irish.Americans
wished to protest against 1t, Americans
did SO because Irishmen formed a
great part Of their cities OF the United
States. Americans Lad the right be-
cause they contributed the chief part
of the money that enabled that band
of patriots led by Parnell to continue
the fght for freedom. Applause. !
The resolutions pas. ed reclte that the
English Government Is preparing 10
intro luce a 30 called crimes bill, whose
provisions are attended to suppress
constitutional liberty in Ireland
for political ends and to sbol-
ish the freedom of the press. They
say that the only effect can be the en-
kindling Of race hatred, making it more
difficult to settle the Irish question and
tending 10 produce social disorder in
Ireland. The citizens OF New York,
in mass meeting assembled, therefore
earnestly protested against the cor
tempiated measures IS suicidal to the
best interests OF England and Ireland
and violation of the rec gsnzed
principles Of justice. The resolutions
quote highlands greatest statesman"
in saying that force is no remedy, and
declaring that home rule in the estab-
lishment of Parliament 10 deal d.
rectly with local questions the only
basis of settling Irish questions. The
resolutions tender sympathy ard
promise support to Gladstone and Par.
nell, and encourage them to oppose
coercion. The resolutions are to be
sent to the two leaders, aud also to tie
Tory leader, Lord Salisbury.
The Hon. Samuel j. Randall wrote
from Washington urging justice to
ireland as the only lasting solution to
her troubles, and expressing his deep
interest in the question. He said it |
was strange that in the nineteenth
century English Tories nhould persist |
in policy Of injustice and coercion
condemned by history with singular |
unsnimity as O crime against the
human race, a blot of disgrace on the
fair name of the English Government. |
Sooner OF later justice would be done.
Mr.. Randall said that Gladstone had
no superior as a statesman. The fact
that at the close OF long and brilliant
career he led the movement in favor
of home rule fer Ireland and insisted |
with all his brilliant intellectual
powers for justice TO her, was security
for Great Britain in the future, the |
best evidence that the Irish question |
was lifted out Of the arena of the mere
local and temporary contentious and |
become an inevitable necessity OF |
peace to the English speaking races.
ireland" he concluded, must have
home rule and justice must be done to |
her people, and it is sheer madness to |
refuse to grant what is 80 clearly |
right"
Congressman Bland wrote from Leb-
anon, Mo. He expressed sympathy
with the purpose of the meeting, and
was willing to 60 as far as the foremost
in anything an American can lawfully
do to assist Ireland to freedom.
Congressman James p. Walker, OF
Dexter, No, and j. A. Lippincott,
chancellor OF the University of Kan.
5ss, wrote letters of good cheer.
The Hon. s. S. Cox wrote from
Washington. He asserted that the
great body of the English people were
as one with Scotland, Ireland and
Wales ia their hatred of measures OF
espionage, fraud and force.
Roscoe Conkling wrote: an heart
aud judgment am in sympathy with
he people of Ireland and wholly
'gainst any and every scheme to tram
pie on their rights. It will be annoy
ng if EDgland-the land of Magma
Jharta, the land OF trial by jury ard
lue process of law, the land Of eight
of Parliament, the lRnd Of
Westminster Hall--shall now, at this
tsge OF the world, turn around and
march back toward barbarian. For
. government to uphold itself by forcs
against those who would overthrow it
8 one thing. This is the right of self
lefense-the right to be. But it
8 a widely different thing to make
avs oppressive aud repugnant 10 the
treat majority OF those affected by
mem, aud then to violate the prinCi.
pies of government itself in order to
enforce such laws. Such a proceeding
s''not a resort to the right Of self de-
ense, nor resort to any other right.
t is might, brutal might. II cannot
,e defended by the extremity of the
occasion, still less by the possession of
power great enough to promise impu-
lity to the act. Should the events
'ou spprehend come to pass, Great
3ri' ain may raise home question
which mankind may make question
# its own-so deep and universal is
he sentiment of liberty. That the
wisdom of Englishmen and Scotchmen
md Irishmen may avert all the evils
'ou fear, is my ardent hope and wish"
The following Cablegram was sent to
dr Glads one:
"The citizens of New York, in mass
meeting assembled, protest against
oercion, heartily indorse your noble
'olicy and wish you God speed in your
CHARLES A. DANA"